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Registration Open for Driftless Region Beef Conference

DUBUQUE, Iowa — With nearly 2.5 million cattle in the four-state Driftless Region, cooperative extension in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin have teamed up to offer a Driftless Region Beef Conference. The event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 31, and Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

“The Driftless Region includes beautiful rolling hills, clean streams and karst soil topography,” said Denise Schwab, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and conference planning committee member. “Conservation of our soil and protection of our water are best accomplished with much of the land seeded to forage production, which requires cattle to consume the forages.” Schwab said the Driftless Beef Conference will focus on efficient and economic beef and forage production for the region.

The program will begin at 1 p.m. Jan. 31 and continue until noon Feb. 1. The conference key speakers include Dan Shike and Tara Felix, University of Illinois; Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Amy Radunz, University of Wisconsin - River Falls; Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University; and Dan Loy, Iowa State University. The Thursday afternoon program will focus on feed efficiency at all stages of production, with an evening discussion on straight versus crossbreeding. The program Friday morning includes three breakout sessions for feedlot operations and three for cow herds.

Registration for the conference is $80 before Jan. 23, or $100 after Jan. 23. Additional information about the conference is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/beef.

The Driftless Region Beef Conference is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin Extension. Together, the planning team strives to deliver the latest in research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information or to receive a brochure, contact or Denise Schwab at 319-721-9624.